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OPNAV-16-223
Form ACA-1
Sheet 1 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
SECRET |
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(a) Unit Reporting |
VMB 613 |
(b) Based on or at |
Kwajalein,
advanced echelon, Eniwetok |
(c) Report No. |
6 |
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(d) Take
off:
Date |
6 February |
Time (LZT) |
0900 M |
(Zone) |
Lat |
11°
-21'N |
Long |
160° -20'E |
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(e) Mission |
BOMB AIRSTRIP # 2 PONAPE
ISLAND |
(f) Time of Return |
1415
M |
(Zone) |
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II. OWN AIRCRAFT
OFFICIALLY COVERED BY THIS REPORT. |
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TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BOMBS
AND TORPEDOES
CARRIED (PER
PLANE) |
FUZE
SETTING |
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TAKING OFF |
ENGAGING
ENEMY A/C |
ATTACKING
TARGET |
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(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
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PBJ-1H |
VMB-613 |
6 |
-- |
5 |
4 500 G.P.
21 75mm
Shells |
Nose .10 delay
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Tail
.10 delay
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III. OTHER U.S. OR ALLIED
AIRCRAFT EMPLOYED IN THIS OPERATION. |
None |
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TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BASE |
TYPE |
SQUADRON |
NUMBER |
BASE |
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PBM |
VPB-19 |
1 |
Parry Island
Dumbo |
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IV.
ENEMY AIRCRAFT OBSERVED OR ENGAGED
(By Own Aircraft
Listed in II Only). |
None |
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(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
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TYPE |
NO
OBSERVED |
NO ENGAGING OWN
AIRCRAFT |
TIME
ENCOUNTERED
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LOCATION OF
ENCOUNTER |
BOMBS, TORPEDOES
CARRIED;
GUNS OBSERVED |
CAMOUFLAGE AND
MARKING |
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-- |
-- |
-- |
--
(ZONE) |
-- |
---- |
-- |
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(ZONE) |
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(ZONE) |
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(h) Apparent Enemy Mission(s) |
--- |
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Did Any Part
of
(i)
Encounter(s) Occur in Clouds? |
--- |
If so, Describe
Clouds
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--- |
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(YES OR NO) |
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(BASE IN FEET, TYPE IN
TENTHS OF CLOUD COVER) |
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Time of Day and Brilliance
(j)
of Sun or
Moon |
------ |
(k) Visibility |
------ |
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(NIGHT, BRIGHT MOON, DAY,
OVERCAST, ETC.) |
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(MILES) |
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V. ENEMY AIRCRAFT DESTROYED OR DAMAGED IN AIR
(By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only). |
None |
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(a) |
(b) DESTROYED
OR DAMAGED BY |
(c) |
(d) |
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TYPE
ENEMY A/C |
TYPE A/C
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SQUADRON
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PILOT OF
GUNNER
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GUNS USED
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WHERE HIT,
ANGLE
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DAMAGE
CLAIMED
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ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
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OPNAV-16-223
Form ACA-1 Sheet 2 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
SECRET |
| |
VI. LOSS OR DAMAGE, COMBAT OR OPERATIONAL, OF OWN AIRCRAFT
(of those listed in II only). |
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(a)
TYPE OWN A/C |
(b)
SQUADRON |
(c)
CAUSE: TYPE ENEMY
A/C,
TYPE GUN, OR OPERATIONAL
CAUSE |
(d)
WHERE HIT, ANGLE
(List armor,
self-sealing tanks,
equipment hit) |
(e)
EXTENT OF LOSS OR
DAMAGE
(Give Bureau serial
number of planes destroyed) |
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1
PBJ-1H |
VMB-613 |
Cause not established |
Wing at engine nacelle |
Crashed enemy island.
Seen |
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2 |
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to explode and burn.
#35275 |
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3
PBJ-1H |
VMB-613 |
500 lb. bomb fragment |
Thru bottom fuselage at |
Hole 18diam. Repaired
locally |
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4 |
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navigators station. |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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9 |
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10 |
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11 |
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12 |
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13 |
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14 |
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VII. PERSONNEL CASUALTIES
(in aircraft listed in II only; identify with planes listed in VI by
Nos. at left). |
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(a)
NO. |
(b)
SQUADRON |
(c)
NAME, RANK OR RATING |
(d)
CAUSE |
(e)
CONDITION OR STATUS |
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1 |
VMB-613 |
Love, William J. 1st.Lt.
USMCR |
Plane Crash |
Killed in action |
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1 |
VMB-613 |
Stone, Thomas W. 1st.Lt.
USMCR |
Plane Crash |
Killed in action |
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1 |
VMB-613 |
Baumbach, Edward L. Sgt.
USMCR |
Plane Crash |
Killed in action |
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1 |
VMB-613 |
Becker, John A. Sgt.
USMCR |
Plane Crash |
Killed in action |
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1 |
VMB-613 |
Schwaller, John R.
S/Sgt. USMC |
Plane Crash |
Killed in action |
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1 |
VMB-613 |
Snider, David Sgt. USMC |
Plane Crash |
Killed in action |
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2 |
VMB-613 |
Farley, William M. Pvt.
USMCR |
Bomb Fragment |
Killed in action |
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VIII. RANGE, FUEL, AND AMMUNITION DATA FOR RETURNING PLANES. |
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(a)
TYPE
A/C |
(b)
MILES
OUT |
(c)
MILES
RETURN |
(d)
AV HOURS
IN AIR |
(e)
AV FUEL
LOADED |
(f)
AV FUEL
CONSUMED |
(g)
TOTAL AMMUNITION EXPENDED |
(h)
NO. OF
PLANES
RETURNING |
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.30 |
.50 |
20MM |
75MM |
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PBJ-1H |
354 |
354 |
5.25 |
1160 |
725 |
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1350 |
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5 |
5 |
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IX.
ENEMY ANTI-AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED
(Check one block on each line). |
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CALIBER |
NONE |
MEAGER |
MODERATE |
INTENSE |
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HEAVY -- Time-fuzed shells, 75mm and over |
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MEDIUM -- Impact-fuzed shells, 20mm-50mm |
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X |
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LIGHT -- Machine gun bullets, 6.5mm-13.2mm |
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X |
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X.
COMPARATIVE PERFORMANCE, OWN AND ENEMY AIRCRAFT
(use check list at left). |
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SPEED, CLIMB
at various altitudes
TURNS
DIVES
CEILINGS
RANGE
PROTECTION
ARMAMENT |
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ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
|
OPNAV-16-223
Form ACA-1 Sheet 3 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
SECRET |
| |
XI.
ATTACK ON ENEMY SHIPS OR GROUND OBJECTIVES
(By Own Aircraft Listed in II Only). |
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(a) Target(s) and Location(s) |
No. 2 Airstrip Ponape
Island |
(b) Time Over Target(s) |
1110 |
(Zone) |
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(FOR SHIPS INCLUDE ALL IN
AREA UNDER ATTACK) |
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(c) Clouds Over Target |
1500' Cumulonimbus with
base layer extending out 10/10 |
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( BASE IN FEET. TYPE IN
TENTHS OF COVER) |
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(d) Visibility of Target |
Partially obscured by
clouds
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(e) Visibility |
Good |
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(CLEAR, HAZY, PARTIALLY
OBSCURED BY CLOUDS, ETC.) |
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(MILES) |
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(f) Bombing Tactics: Type |
Glide |
Bomb Sight Used |
None |
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(LEVEL, GLIDE, OR DIVE) |
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(TYPE) |
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Bombs Dropped per Run
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4 |
Spacing
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100' |
Altitude of Bomb Release
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2000' |
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(NUMBER) |
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(FEET) |
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(FEET) |
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(g) Number of Enemy Aircraft Hit on Ground: Destroyed |
None
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Probably Destroyed
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None
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Damaged
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None
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(h)
AIMING POINT |
(i)
DIMENSIONS OR
TONNAGE |
(j)
NO. A/C ATTACKING
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(l)
BOMBS AN AMMUNITION
EXPENDED EACH AIMING POINT |
(m)
NO. HITS On
Aiming Point |
(n)
DAMAGE (None, slight,
serious, destroyed, or sunk) |
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(k)
SQUADRON
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1 |
Landing Strip
airfield # 2. |
200'X4000' |
5 PBJ-1H |
16 500 G.P. |
9 |
Serious |
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VMB 613
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2 |
Large building
SW of strip |
40'X80' |
1 PBJ-1H |
1 75mm. shell |
1 |
Destroyed |
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VMB 613
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3 |
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4 |
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5 |
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6 |
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7 |
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8 |
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(o)
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RESULTS:
(For all claims
made on ship targets of special interest, draw diagram, top or side view
or both, as appropriate, showing type and location of hits. For
all targets give location and effect of hits, and identify by number
above. Use additional sheets if necessary)
1. Nine bombs of
sixteen dropped landed on runway leaving craters probably rendering it
inoperative.
2. A large
building southwest of, and in line with, the runways, probably used for
some type of storage,
was
hit with a 75mm. shell and demolished. (See accompanying map).
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(p) Were Photographs Taken? |
(Below) |
Photographs of Damage, When
Taken, Should Be Attached By Staple
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Photos were taken but
clouds obscured the target rendering them valueless. |
|
ALLSET -- MFD. BY THE EGRY
REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
|
OPNAV-16-223
Form ACA-1 Sheet 4 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
SECRET |
| |
XII.
TACTICAL AND OPERATIONAL DATA.
(Narrative and comment. Describe action fully and comment freely,
following applicable items in check list at left. Use additional
sheets if necessary). |
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ENGAGEMENT WITH ENEMY
OWN AIRCRAFT
Disposition
Altitude
Speed
Approach Tactics
Use of Cover, Deception
Angles of Attack and
Their Effectiveness
Distance of Opening Fire
Defense Tactics and
Their Effectiveness
ENEMY
AIRCRAFT
Method of Locating, Distance
Disposition
Altitudes
Speed
Approach Tactics
Use of Cover, Deception
Angles of Attack
Distance of Opening Fire
Defense Tactics and
Their Effectiveness
COMMENTS
AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Own Weaknesses
Enemy Weaknesses
Offensive Tactics, Own
"
" , Enemy
Defensive Tactics, Own
"
" , Enemy
Flexible Gunnery, Own
Escort Tactics
Fighter Direction
Use of Radar
Night Fighting
Recognition, Aircraft |
Six planes of this
squadron took of at 0900 to bomb the new airfield on Ponape Island
which photographs obtained on the previous day had showed to be
operational. The planes joined up east of the field in a V of two
plane sections and proceeded to the target flying at 8000 feet and 145
knots I.A.S. The island was enveloped in a thunderhead obscuring
from some quarters and necessitating a change in the planned attack.
The first section found a hole and went in, but the leader had to make
such a violent turn to get over the target that his wingman was thrown
off and did not drop his bombs. Visibility on the approach of the
second section was better and the first plane flew the length of the
target; however, only one hit was obtained, three bombs hanging up in
the bombrack. The second plane had three hits out of four bombs.
The third section swung
wide to the left and then circled right to come over the target from a
different quarter. The first plane received a hit in the bottom of
the fuselage entering the navigators compartment and instantly killing
the navigator. The navigator was struck about the instant the
bombs exploded and examination of the projectile which caused his death
indicates that it was probably a fragment of 500 pound G.P. bomb.
To the best of the pilots knowledge he was flying at 1500 feet altitude
and 260 knots when he released his bombs over terrain which was about
350 feet above sea level. The tail gunner of the first plane of
the last section saw the right wing of the last plane collapse
immediately outboard of the engine nacelle just as the pilot completed a
wide turn and leveled out for his approach. The plane crashed just
short of the runway exploding on impact with the ground and burning
violently. In the opinion of the tail gunner no bombs had been
dropped by this plane and no heavy A/A fire was observed although light
and medium flak was intense. No cause for the collapse of the
wing has been established. It is believed that all personnel
aboard were killed in the crash and also that classified material
carried in the plane would have been destroyed by the fire preventing
its compromise. While the third section was making its run the
first plane of the second section circled and came over the target again
obtaining three hits with the three previously abortive bombs. On
this run a 75mm. shell was fired demolishing a large building of the SW
end of the runway. Waist gunners and tail gunners in most of the
planes strafed buildings and installations along the edge of the strip
during the runs.
Upon completion of the
attack the planes joined up over Ant Atoll at 1500 feet and proceeded
back to base landing at 1415. Dumbo was provided by a PBM from
VPB-19 which stayed on station the remainder of the day for snooper
duty. |
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ATTACK
OWN AIRCRAFT
Method of Locating Target
Approach
to Target
Altitudes,
Speeds
Approach
Dive
Pull-Out
Dive Angle
Strafing
Retirement
Defensive
Tactics
Use of
Jamming
DEFENSE ENEMY
Evasive
Tactics, Ships
Concealment
Searchlights
Night
Fighter Tactics
Use of
Jamming
COMMENTS AND
RECOMMENDATIONS
Bombing
Tactics
Torpedo
Tactics
Effectiveness of
Bombs,
Torpedoes
Selection of Targets
Fuzing
Strafing
Tactics
Defensive Tactics
Use of
Radar
Reconnaissance
Photography
Briefing |
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OPERATIONAL
Navigation
Homing
Rendezvous
Recognition, Ships
Communications
Flight Operations
Search and Tracking
Base Operations
Maintenance |
|
ALLSET -- MFD. BY THE EGRY
REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
|
OPNAV-16-223
Form ACA-1 Sheet 5 of 5 |
AIRCRAFT ACTION
REPORT |
RESTRICTED
(Reclassified when
filled out)
SECRET |
| |
XIII.
MATERIAL DATA.
(Comment freely on performance or suitability, following check list at
left
Use additional sheets if necessary). |
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ARMAMENT
Guns, Gunsights
Turrets
Ammunition
Bombs, Torpedoes
Bomb Sights
Bomb Releases
COMMUNICATIONS
Radio, Radar
Homing Devices
Visual Signals
Codes, Ciphers
RECOGNITION
IFF
Signals
Battle Lights
Procedures
PROTECTION
Armor;
Points and Angles
of Fire
Needing Further
Protection
Leak
Proofing
EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
Parachutes
Life
Belts, Life Rafts
Safety
Belts
Emergency Kits
Rations,
First Aid
NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT
Compasses
Driftsights
Octants
Automatic Pilots
Charts
Field
Lighting
INSTRUMENTS
Flight
Power
Plant
OXYGEN SYSTEM
CAMOUFLAGE AND
DECEPTION DEVICES
STRUCTURE
Airframe
Control
Surfaces
Control
System
Dive
Flaps
Landing
Gear
Heating
System
Flight
Characteristics
At
Various Landings
POWER PLANT
Engines
Engine
Accessories
Propellers
Lubricating System
Starters
Exhaust
Dampers
HYDRAULIC SYSTEM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Auxiliary Plant
Lights
FUEL SYSTEM
FLIGHT CLOTHING
MAINTENANCE |
All material functioned
satisfactorily with the exception of the partially abortive run of the
first plane, second section. No cause could be determined for the
release mechanism failure on the first run. |
| REPORT
PREPARED BY: |
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APPROVED BY: |
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SIGNATURE
RANK AND DUTY |
SIGNATURE RANK AND DUTY |
DATE |
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C.R. MOCINE, Captain,
S-2.
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G.W. Nevils, LtCol.,
Commanding.
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ALLSET --
MFD. BY THE EGRY REGISTER CO. PATENTED |
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